Champagne Gravel in Steamboat Is Calling Your Name
SBT registration for 2023 is coming late fall. Here’s a recap of TBDs 2022 attendance.
Steamboat springs is the home to champagne powder, why shouldn’t it be the home of champagne gravel? The town of Steamboat has amazing food, craft breweries, and mountain views to accompany pristine gravel roads. We went out to SBT Gravel with a smaller squad (myself and Matt Lloyd-Thomas) this year, but still had an amazing time (check out 2021’s ride report here).
For me, making it to SBT Gravel 2022 was a three year journey. The 2020 edition was canceled for Covid and I was unable to attend because I got Covid the week of the race in 2021. I’ll share some details about the ride and Black Course, below, and don’t forget to mark the following dates for 2023 registration:
11/16-11/30: Priority registration for advocacy partners, 2022 volunteers, para athletes, parity initiatives and junior program participants
11/16-11/30: Registration open to deferred riders (entry guaranteed through 11/30, then expires)
12/1-5: Random Selection
12/9: Randomly selected riders notified
Acclimating
We flew out to Steamboat a few days before the race to start getting acclimated to the altitude. The Friday before the race we headed to Moots for their pre-ride where we ran into friends from Bike Sports Co and Moots. The Moots ride was a great preview of the start and middle portions of the course. After the ride, we picked up our numbers and explored the bike expo. We checked out some of team sponsor tents including Castelli where we ran into Reggie Miller.
Race Day
Sunday was the big day… 142 miles and 10k feet of climbing. The altitude seemed to have little effect on the pre-rides, but I was a bit winded on some of the climbs (that happens back east, too). We were up around 4:00am to load up on carbs, double check our bikes, and ride down to the race start.
Race Start
We set a nice, even pace with a large starting group. We weren’t at the front, maybe mid-pack. There were flats and rolling hills all the way until the first climb. As soon as we were outside of town we settled into a groove. We rode with various groups, but some of the chatter caused my chain to drop a few times on descents or when shifting. Next time I’ll use a chain guard.
1st Climb
The first long climb would take us up to Steamboat Lake. The length and grade of the climb was brutal, I felt like I was mashing the pedals. I was riding a 40x42 on my 1x Moots Routt, but just not spinning at all. I was happy to get that climb behind me.
Steamboat Lake
The route around Steamboat Lake was incredible. From the flattop you could see amazing vista views. There was also an amazing section of single track that included a creek crossing. This creek crossing was probably my favorite course feature. It was shallow, maybe 2 or 3 inches deep, and had packed pebbles so you could ride straight through at speed.
Descent Plus No Mans Land
My grearing also wasn’t set up for grinding down a descent. I was often only able to coast on the descent back down towards Steamboat. There were a few groups who I could sit in with, but eventually would get shot out the back. When we got down to the flats and through the second rest stop we joined a few groups. However, I again faced issues w/ my shifting and dropping my chain. This accounted for chain drops 3-6 (and luckily the last major incidents). We’d continue through the flats and rolling hills for another 40 or so miles before arriving at the second climb.
2nd Climb
I’m not a climber and with the second climb starting at mile 80 and ending around 105, I was already tired. It started to rain just as I passed the 100 mile aid station. It began as a light sprinkle, then turned to a pouring thunderstorm. It hailed, and it hurt. Luckily I was climbing and with my heart rate up as I climbed I stayed warm.
The Finish
After the 2nd climb the rest of the course was all downhill, sorta. There were still a few short and punchy climbs that were unbearable. There was nothing left in the tank. The descent down Cow Creek Rd. was also AMAZING, I wish I had more energy to really enjoy it. I rolled across the line to finish around ~9:45, totally exhausted.
NYC based rider working in Product. Predominantly road, but starting to dabble into Gravel and CX. Beer connoisseur and cat daddy.
Instagram: @mitchell_napolitano
